Is there a link between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease?
OBJECTIVE
To provide a critical review of the studies completed to date that have investigated a link between coronary heart disease and dental health.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis.


METHODS
Mainly hospital-based patients or subjects involved in longitudinal health care studies.


METHODS
The incidence of coronary heart disease and its relationship to dental health and other recognised risk factors.


RESULTS
Evidence suggests that dental health, in particular periodontal disease, may be a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease and further coronary events. Possible biological mechanisms that link the two diseases are appraised.


CONCLUSIONS
There does appear to be increasing evidence that a relationship exists between dental health and coronary heart disease, especially in males aged 40-50 years. The presence of a hyperinflammatory monocyte phenotype may provide a common biological mechanism that links the two diseases.
Seymour
R A
RA
Dental School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Steele
J G
JG
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001695:Biology; D015984:Causality; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D005260:Female; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000502:physiology; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009042:Motivation; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010641:Phenotype; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014081:Tooth Extraction
D018836:Inflammation Mediators